This Explore Boone interview has been edited for length and clarity.

My name is Kristian Jackson and we are at Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park in Boone, NC. It is a wonderful place to ride your bike, go hiking, and check out the amazing scenery right on the outskirts of Boone.

What are some favorite places to get outside?

Rocky Knob is one of my absolute favorite places to recreate due to its proximity to town and the quality of the experience that is here. We’re very fortunate here to have Pisgah National Forest at our back door, with many really amazing trails, streams, rivers, waterfalls, and mountain peaks. So, this is a little microcosm of a bigger land, right here in our backyard.

What is the best season to come mountain bike?

We’re fortunate in Boone to have four seasons, they’re very distinct from one another. Each one has wonderful attributes. If I had to pick just one for recreating here at Rocky Knob, probably the Fall. Once the humidity goes away, the temperatures cool down a bit, the leaf colors change and we have some amazing weather here in the High Country that’s wonderful to immerse yourself in.

What level of experience should you have at Rocky Knob?

From a mountain biking perspective, Rocky Knob is very appropriate for experienced mountain bikers. Folks that have been riding for a while and have sampled various trails from parts of the state or region. Those folks will find a lot of good challenges and a lot of fun to be had. In terms of hiking and experiencing nature, any experience level can come out and enjoy the forest and the rocks here.

What do you do plan and prepare for a day on the trails?

The most important way to plan and prepare is to check your bike and safety equipment. Make sure your bike, helmet, and pads are in good condition. If you are unsure about this, check with one of the local bike shops and they will help you get set up for a fun ride. Check the weather! It’s always imperative to check the weather and be prepared for the conditions. It’s a compact park so you can’t get too far away from the trailhead, in the case of a summer rainstorm, but it's something you want to plan ahead for so you can maximize your experience. You don’t want to be waiting out a thunderstorm or riding in conditions that are less than favorable.

What gear, other than a bike, do you need?

I like to encourage people to be self-sufficient in taking care of things they may need on the trail. Particularly at Rocky Knob, that means dealing with flat tires. It’s a rocky place, as the name suggests, and even though we’re not far from the parking lot being able to fix a puncture in the trail system means that you can keep riding! You won’t have to walk out and go to a bike shop and waste an hour or more of your day.

For first-time visitors, it’s highly recommended to study the map and plan out your experience so you can maximize your fun! We see a lot of folks who like to walk with hiking poles since the trails are so rocky and can be uneven.

Can you explain how the trails work at Rocky Knob for hikers and bikers?

The park was designed for dual use, so hikers and bikers are encouraged to use the trails. Some trails are dedicated downhill mountain bike-only, and hikers are encouraged not to use those at all. You’ll see signs throughout the park where if something is directional it is posted. We encourage hikers and bikers to travel in opposite directions to maximize visibility.

How do you practice “Leave No Trace” when outdoors?

Again, I think the first principle, Plan ahead and Prepare, goes a long way to help yourself and everyone else out. I’m always studying the weather before I go out. I’m not only studying maps and trails but also trying to determine the best conditions to decide the best trail choice for the day.

The final principle, about our social impact, is a really important one as well. Thinking about our experience that we have on the trail is contained within ourselves and something that we want to do, but there are others outside trying to create their own great experience, too. How does our impact influence, either enhance or detract, from somebody else’s experience?

Whether we’re mountain biking, trail-running, dog-walking, or walking with kids, thinking about that social impact is critical. Distill all that down to just, Be Nice! Think about everyone else on the trail who wants to have an outdoor experience, they have their reasons and motivations that may be different than mine, but being nice on the trail, smiling, and letting other trail users pass when appropriate.

"By practicing those habits, we’re creating social sustainability within our public lands."

How would you suggest that someone find out about trail conditions?

Firsthand information is often the best, so local bike shops are completely plugged in with the trail conditions here at Rocky Knob, Beech Mountain, and at Pisgah National Forest. They’ll know what trails have been maintained recently and what trails, maybe, to avoid.

The second best bet is Trailforks. Most regions will have updates on trails.

What attracted you to Boone in the first place?

The mountains and the environment it’s amazing. I first came here as a teenager and I love NC and the variety of opportunities that we have here for natural experiences on trails, and wild lands. The mountains of WNC, especially around Boone, just the elevation and the four seasons, are something very special to me.

To put that into context with the community here as well, the people who share that same sentiment of how important these mountains are and what they provide for us. It creates a rich combination of things that’s palpable. When you’re here at Rocky Knob in the late afternoon, the sun is shining an hour before the sunset and everyone here is smiling, sharing that experience is a special thing to be a part of.

How long should you plan to visit Boone for the first time?

I would think that first-time visitors would want to allocate a week. There’s so much variety of natural resources and recreation, that you want a week to sample it all. Your going to get a taste of what’s possible and most likely you’ll want to come back. I’ve been coming to Rocky Knob for 10 years and I still want to come back every day.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner suggestions?

Bald Guy Brew, right across the road from Rocky Knob, is a very unique coffee roastery unlike any I think I’ve ever been in before. It’s worth checking out. High on my list of recommendations for food after a day at Rocky Knob is Coyote Kitchen. It’s a must-go place to eat here in town. All of our local breweries are wonderful.

Scenic spots to not miss?

It’s hard to beat Rocky Knob’s pump track for sunset. In the summer fall the sun is setting in a very favorable position. You’re looking out at the Northern Peaks, all the mountains Elk and Rich Mountain are at 5,500 feet. It’s a really incredible view that you can just drive up to and roll down your window and see an incredible sunset.

Any other can’t-miss experiences that you would suggest?

The list of must-do’s is incredible! Fly fishing our mountain trout streams. Hiking to the summit of Grandfather Mountain is a must-do for everyone who can do it. It’s an amazing summit, at almost 6,000 feet, looking down off the mountains into the escarpment in a Spruce Fir forest, with amazing rocks. The setting is incredible. If you’re intrepid, doing that for a sunrise is incredible.

What is your best insider tip?

Have snacks in your vehicle so you can refuel and get back out there. Allow more time than you think at Rocky Knob. You look at the map and see 10 miles and it doesn’t look like that much, but it’s 10 action-packed miles. The pro tip is it’s worth going to the summit. It’s a special summit at just under 6000'. Up there, you're looking down the whole eastern escarpment. The Spruce Fir forest creates a unique setting that is quite magical at sunrise. 

Visit our Sustainability page and Outdoor NC for additional tips on how to connect with nature and help preserve the natural beauty of our state.